Description

This widely used introduction to media law takes a journalist's perspective. Written in a clear, non-legalistic fashion, it shows how journalists can produce ethical, hard-edged reportage while staying on the right side of the law. The authors also explain how to negotiate some of the key ethical minefields of day-to-day reporting, focusing on ethical dilemmas which can have legal consequences. This edition offers a comprehensive overview of aspects of law which relate to a journalist's work including defamation, contempt, confidentiality, privacy, trespass, intellectual property and ethical regulation. Recent cases and examples are used to illustrate key points. Also included is an introduction to the legal system and guidelines on reporting legal issues. Tips, summaries and a handy flow chart to defamation law make The Journalist's Guide to Media Law a handy reference for professionals and an essential text for students.show more

About Mark Pearson

MARK PEARSON is Professor of Journalism at Bond University and holds a Master of Laws with a specialisation in media law. He has worked as a journalist on a variety of metropolitan, suburban and regional newspapers and was a section editor on The Australian. He is Australian correspondent for the international media freedom organisation Reporters Sans Frontieres. MARK POLDEN is a Sydney barrister. He was in house counsel for Fairfax Media for the best part of two decades, and in 2006 was a member of the Australian Law Reform Commission advisory committee on sedition.show more

Table of contents

Preface to the fourth edition..List of Tables..Abbreviations..Part 1: Journalists and the legal system..1 Media law and ethics..2 The legal system..3 Freedom of the press..Part 2: Reporting crime and justice..4 Open justice..5 Contempt of Court..6 Court reporting and restrictions..Part 3: Journalists and reputations..7 Identifying defamation..8 Defending defamation..Part 4: Investigative journalism..9 Keeping secrets: Confidentiality, sources and freedom of information legislation..10 Anti-terrorism and hate laws..Part 5: Ethics and the law..11 Intellectual property: Protecting your work and using the work of others..12 Privacy..13 The regulators..Appendix 1: MEAA (AJA) Code of Ethics..Appendix 2: Australian Press Council Statement of Principles..Indexshow more